The Ford Barn

Curtis in MA · 11-14-2017, 10:53 AM

I couldn't afford the price of original shocks so I just put on Bratton's new shocks that don't need any drilling or modifications to the car. I think they are great and about 1/3 the price.

tinkirk · 11-14-2017, 11:46 AM

I'm just looking for shock numbers so i can get by cheaper yet,
I will built my own brackets

Kahuna · 11-14-2017, 12:06 PM

Ken's shock kits are great. Also, I've used the Lovejoy/Armstrong shocks with good results on my 32 Model B. They bolt into original holes.

burner31 · 11-14-2017, 12:43 PM

Have to agree with some of the others here...Ken Davis

tinkirk · 11-14-2017, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31

Have to agree with some of the others here...Ken Davis

I understand the Ken Davis and, I've thought about that also but somebody has to have the shock numbers that are used, and have had good luck with them.

mike657894 · 11-14-2017, 01:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I chose to make my own as I didint see how the kits were going on with the body in place. These were a shock I used. simple brackets. a d shaped piece of 1/2 in and a shock mount. a 2.5 x 4in rectangle with a tab heated and bent up to take the shock at a 45 degree angle to ease the resistance The hole is oversized to 5/8 to allow the 7/16 shaft room to wiggle and let the rubbers do there job. I would post the thread but photobucket has invalidated and photos. Its not been a problem But to do it again I would do a double eye shock. but i post this so that you may look up the gabrial number and cross reference amount of shock you want. This is on a fordor so you may want less. but my ride is cushy. I havent figured out a good shock placement for the front yet. the bracket is welded to the front of the axle and the other bracket is on frame about a foot forward of the axle.

gabrial 82011
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shocks-leng...481?rmvSB=true

I drilled the holes in the frame then clamped the bracket to the frame and used the drill to mark where the holes were needed and drilled those on the drill press. The 3/8 bar stock I have on hand is quite a bit harder than the frame. I switched steels as the 1/2 in i made the lower brackets out of seemed overkill for the project and took along time to cut and shape with the grinder.

I have seen threads where a bracket was made that uses the brake backing plate and longer bolts. With the shock behind the axle. This is just what I dreamnt up one day and it worked out. Not saying its the best or good even I wont know that until its down the road a ways. Just some food for thought.

fredski53 · 11-20-2017, 07:05 AM

How did you attach the "D" bracket to the rear end? Was it welded to the axle tube?

slammin · 11-20-2017, 08:29 AM

Mike,
That Gabriel shock only has 4.11 inch travel. Maybe someone will correct me, but I don't think that is enough travel for the rear suspension. I am fabricating front shock mounts for my 29 Tudor. I'm using a KYB 343138. It is the shock offered by one of the commercial kit makers. It has similar travel, but is stud mount on both ends. I don't think it is long enough to use on the rear.

duke36 · 11-20-2017, 11:33 AM

We found that about 10.5" compressed and 17" extended length will work on most A's depending on kit type and bracket locations. Need to allow for spring rate and rebound which we found to be better with non gas assist types.

11-14-2017, 10:53 AM	#21
Curtis in MA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Leicester, MA Posts: 296	Re: Tubular shocks I couldn't afford the price of original shocks so I just put on Bratton's new shocks that don't need any drilling or modifications to the car. I think they are great and about 1/3 the price.

11-14-2017, 11:46 AM	#22
tinkirk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: SouthWest Michigan Posts: 363	Re: Tubular shocks I'm just looking for shock numbers so i can get by cheaper yet, I will built my own brackets

11-14-2017, 12:06 PM	#23
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Tubular shocks Ken's shock kits are great. Also, I've used the Lovejoy/Armstrong shocks with good results on my 32 Model B. They bolt into original holes.

11-14-2017, 12:43 PM	#24
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Tubular shocks Have to agree with some of the others here...Ken Davis __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

11-14-2017, 01:08 PM	#26
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: Tubular shocks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I chose to make my own as I didint see how the kits were going on with the body in place. These were a shock I used. simple brackets. a d shaped piece of 1/2 in and a shock mount. a 2.5 x 4in rectangle with a tab heated and bent up to take the shock at a 45 degree angle to ease the resistance The hole is oversized to 5/8 to allow the 7/16 shaft room to wiggle and let the rubbers do there job. I would post the thread but photobucket has invalidated and photos. Its not been a problem But to do it again I would do a double eye shock. but i post this so that you may look up the gabrial number and cross reference amount of shock you want. This is on a fordor so you may want less. but my ride is cushy. I havent figured out a good shock placement for the front yet. the bracket is welded to the front of the axle and the other bracket is on frame about a foot forward of the axle. gabrial 82011 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shocks-leng...481?rmvSB=true I drilled the holes in the frame then clamped the bracket to the frame and used the drill to mark where the holes were needed and drilled those on the drill press. The 3/8 bar stock I have on hand is quite a bit harder than the frame. I switched steels as the 1/2 in i made the lower brackets out of seemed overkill for the project and took along time to cut and shape with the grinder. I have seen threads where a bracket was made that uses the brake backing plate and longer bolts. With the shock behind the axle. This is just what I dreamnt up one day and it worked out. Not saying its the best or good even I wont know that until its down the road a ways. Just some food for thought. Last edited by mike657894; 11-14-2017 at 01:34 PM.

11-20-2017, 07:05 AM	#27
fredski53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: La Porte, IN Posts: 143	Re: Tubular shocks How did you attach the "D" bracket to the rear end? Was it welded to the axle tube?

11-20-2017, 08:29 AM	#28
slammin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Fruita, CO Posts: 281	Re: Tubular shocks Mike, That Gabriel shock only has 4.11 inch travel. Maybe someone will correct me, but I don't think that is enough travel for the rear suspension. I am fabricating front shock mounts for my 29 Tudor. I'm using a KYB 343138. It is the shock offered by one of the commercial kit makers. It has similar travel, but is stud mount on both ends. I don't think it is long enough to use on the rear.

11-20-2017, 11:33 AM	#29
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Tubular shocks We found that about 10.5" compressed and 17" extended length will work on most A's depending on kit type and bracket locations. Need to allow for spring rate and rebound which we found to be better with non gas assist types.